Principal Mechanical Engineer

Microsoft Silicon, Cloud Hardware, and Infrastructure Engineering (SCHIE) is the team behind Microsoft’s expanding Cloud Infrastructure and responsible for powering Microsoft’s “Intelligent Cloud” mission. SCHIE delivers the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's over 200 online businesses including Bing, MSN, Office 365, Xbox Live, Teams, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Azure platform globally with our server and data center infrastructure, security and compliance, operations, globalization, and manageability solutions. Our focus is on smart growth, high efficiency, and delivering a trusted experience to customers and partners worldwide and we are looking for passionate engineers to help achieve that mission.

As Microsoft's cloud business continues to grow the ability to deploy new offerings and hardware infrastructure on time, in high volume with high quality and lowest cost is of paramount importance. To achieve this goal, the CHSE (Cloud Hardware Systems Engineering) team is instrumental in defining and delivering operational measures of success for hardware manufacturing, improving the planning process, quality, delivery, scale and sustainability related to Microsoft cloud hardware. We are looking for engineers with a dedicated passion for customer focused solutions, insight and industry knowledge to envision and implement future technical solutions that will manage and optimize the Cloud infrastructure.

We are looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join the team with a passion for developing robust customer-focused solutions and striving for engineering excellence in mechanical design of large complex systems .

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

• Lead Mechanical Development : Deliver innovative mechanical designs for server and cooling systems, integrating thermal, structural, and electrical constraints with a deep understanding of server architecture and adjacencies.

• Predictive Analysis & Empirical Validation : Apply advanced modeling (FEA, CFD, tolerance analysis) and empirical testing to validate structural, thermal, and reliability performance.

• Fluid Systems Expertise : Design and validate fluid systems including pumps, filtration, pressure vessels, relief valves, leak detection, and treatment systems—grounded in physics, chemistry, and maintenance principles.

• Design for Manufacturing & Reliability : Ensure manufacturability, cost-efficiency, and long-term reliability through material selection , tolerance control, supplier engagement , and understanding of tooling and manufacturing processes.

• Drive for Results : Set goals with measurable outcomes, manage risk, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality hardware solutions across product lines.

• Strategic Thinking : Translate business and customer needs into scalable mechanical strategies that align with long-term product and platform vision.

• Technology Pathfinding : De velop and ex plore innovative design strategies that anticipate future t rends, opportunities, and industry shifts.

• Develop Technical Talent : Mentor engineers to become thought leaders, fostering growth through challenging assignments and continuous feedback.

• Engineering Rigor & Agility : Balance innovation with disciplined execution, ensuring quality as a key participant in structured design reviews, test plan ning , and root cause analysis.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration : Partner with electrical, thermal, reliability, and other domains to deliver cohesive, customer-focused solutions.

• Invent & Protect : Identify and develop intellectual property, encouraging patent filings and contributing to Microsoft’s innovation portfolio.

• Tool & Process Advancement : Evaluate and implement new tools, technologies, and methodologies to improve design quality and team productivity.

• Embody our culture and values.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years related technical engineering experience
  • OR Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years related technical engineering experience
  • OR Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years related technical engineering experience
  • OR equivalent experience.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., PTC Creo,) understanding of mechanical design principles, GD&T analysis, fluid dynamics, pressure vessel design, pumps and compressors, mechanical vibration and shock, valve and manifold design, material compatibility , tooling, manufacturing processes , and validation
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of industry experience in the electronics industry with server development background.

Other Requirements:

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following specialized security screenings:

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent field

• 10 years of experience in the electronics industry specifically related to high- density , liquid cooled compute systems

• 2 yrs experience with mechanical simulation tools ( ie Abaqus, Ansys)

• Demonstrated expertise in wetted material compatibility, corrosion, and biocontamination of fluid loops

• Experience in pump design, fluid loop sensors and controls, heat exchanger design

• Experience with cabling and networking interconnect technology

• Experience with prototyping, tooling design, and high-volume manufacturing of electronic enclosures

• Proficient at PTC Creo, Windchill or similar software ( ie Solidworks , Catia)

• Experience leading complex design programs
• Experience with development of specifications, interface control documents, and managing design requirements
• Proficient analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve mechanical design issues and optimize system performance

Mechanical Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $274,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $188,000 - $304,200 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: US corporate pay information | Microsoft Careers Microsoft will accept applications for the role until August 9th, 2025.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form .

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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